Addressable image object

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, analyzing media content to recognize an object therein, wherein the media content is provided as a video stream displayed to a user of a communication device, the media content comprising a plurality of digital frames transported to the communication device over a private network; associating product information of a product with the object; receiving a user input selecting the object; determining providers of goods or services of the product, wherein the providers of goods or services are selected during the determining based on a proximity of the providers to the user of the communication device; and providing the product information to the communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to a system and method for linkingobjects identified in media content with suppliers of goods and servicesthrough the Internet.

BACKGROUND

Online advertisers typically target users with advertisements ofproducts or services based on traits or perceived needs of the users.Such advertising is often unreliable because of the uncertainty ofprospective purchasers, often based on the use of search words enteredby the user to imply interest in acquiring particular goods or services.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of system for addressableimage objects;

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method used in portionsof the system described in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3-4 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services in a system for addressable image objects;

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal forinteracting with the communication systems of FIGS. 1 and 3-4;

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device; and

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for a system for identifying and maintaining addressableimage objects. Other embodiments are described in the subjectdisclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a method,comprising: analyzing, by a processing system comprising a processor,media content, wherein the media content is provided as a video streamdisplayed to a user of a media device, the media content comprising aplurality of digital frames transported to the media device over aprivate network; recognizing, by the processing system, productinformation from the analyzing of the plurality of digital frames in themedia content; determining, by the processing system, product websiteinformation for providers of goods or services associated with theproduct information, wherein the providers of goods or services areselected during the determining based on a proximity to the user of themedia device; receiving, by the processing system from the media device,a user input selecting a product associated with the product informationresulting in a selected product; and providing, by the processingsystem, a connection to a website associated with the selected productto the media device through the private network, wherein the productwebsite information comprises a uniform resource locator to the website,and wherein the website enables the user to securely procure the productselected without providing payment information to the providers of thegoods or services.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a device,comprising: a processing system including a processor; and a memory thatstores executable instructions that, when executed by the processingsystem, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:analyzing media content to recognize an object therein, wherein themedia content is provided as a video stream displayed to a user of acommunication device, the media content comprising a plurality ofdigital frames transported to the communication device over a privatenetwork; associating product information of a product with the object;receiving a user input selecting the object; determining providers ofgoods or services of the product, wherein the providers of goods orservices are selected during the determining based on a proximity of theproviders to the user of the communication device; and providing theproduct information to the communication device.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a non-transitorymachine-readable medium, comprising executable instructions that, whenexecuted by a processing system including a processor, facilitateperformance of operations, the operations comprising: analyzing mediacontent to recognize an object therein, wherein the media content isprovided as a video stream displayed to a user of a communicationdevice, the media content comprising a plurality of digital frames sentto the communication device over a private network; identifying aproduct from the object; receiving a user input selecting the object ona screen of the communication device; determining a location of thecommunication device; and providing a list of providers of goods orservices of the product to the communication device based an ability ofthe providers of the goods or services to deliver the goods or servicesto the location of the communication device in a timely fashion.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of system 100 for addressableimage objects. System 100 comprises an Internet service provider (ISP)cloud network 110, which is a private, scalable network of servers anddatabases to and through which internet communication services areprovided to wireless and wired communication devices 140, 141. A privatenetwork is, for example, a network that is not accessible to the public.Examples of private networks include virtual private networks (VPNs),subscription based networks, encrypted networks, secured networks, orthe like. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the ISP cloud network 110 maycomprise one or more network servers 120, an active content repository130, an audio/visual object database 133, and a provider database 136.Also illustrated is the Internet 150 and a provider's website 156.Provider's website 156 may be connected to ISP cloud network 110 throughthe Internet 150, as illustrated, or directly to ISP cloud network 110(not shown). Network servers 120 may be virtual servers or hardwareservers, as described in further detail below.

System 100 performs automated object recognition and tagging functionsto derive objects found in audio, visual, or audiovisual content(collectively, “media content”). The system saves the recognized videoand audio objects in audio/visual object database 133. The audio/visualobject database 133 can be linked to, supplemented by, or updated by allsources of data including but not limited to providers' inventories orother information stored in the provider database 136.

Active content repository 130 comprises a library of media contentrequested by communication devices 140, 141. Communication devices 140,141 provide input to ISP cloud network 110 requesting delivery of mediacontent for play back on communication devices 140, 141. For example,communication device 140 may be a set-top box that tunes to a particulartelevision channel where live media content is presented. Alternatively,communication device 141 may be a mobile device that is being used towatch on demand media content. Further description of communicationdevices 140, 141 is set forth below in connection with FIG. 6 below.

As the user is watching the media content, the user may wish to seekfurther information about an addressable image object that the useridentifies in the media content. The user indicates such interest as theactivated content is being played back on the communication device 140,141, for example, by activating a spot on the screen that may beresponsive to addressable image object selection on the communicationdevice. Such activation may pause playback of the media content. Uponpause, more detailed information and the rest of the tagged addressableimage objects will be sent to the user's viewing device. Furtherdescription of the user interface may be found in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/216,024, entitled “Internet Enabled Video MediaContent Stream, filed Jul. 21, 2016, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety. When user selects any addressable image objectin the paused picture, website links for all providers of that productcan appear on the screen in a list that has already been sortedaccording to criteria. Selecting an addressable image object allows theuser to follow a dynamic link provided by the localization process to aweb address enabling the user to select one or more vendors that canprovide a product associated with the selected addressable image object.Sorting the provider's list for selected addressable image objects canbe setup by users based on their interest(s). A default criteria setupmight be based on proximity, price, delivery time, service agreement,and so on.

The system 100 notes the location of a user viewing active mediacontent. The system performs a localization process to identify selectedproviders of all previously tagged addressable image objects in themedia content. The system 100 can embed primary information of selectedproviders based on different criteria such as delivery time, price, andso forth. Primary information of the providers and tagged addressableimage objects may be embedded to each active frame or any other framesthat have new tagged object(s), compared to previous frames, to savebandwidth. The embedding can be done through inputs from data analysisand big data processes.

During the selection and pausing of the video, network servers 120 inthe ISP cloud network 110 may conduct further processing and can sendspecific and detailed information from the ISP cloud network 110 to theuser about recognized addressable image objects in the paused picture.Meanwhile, for example, live media content can be buffered in the deviceor in the active content repository 130 for viewing continuity, afterthe information has been provided to the user. The specific and detailedinformation may be presented to the user, for example, via web pages onthe internet 150. Some web pages may be used for commercial purposes,like online ordering. Other web pages may relate to informationalentities, such as Wikipedia or the like, providing results to furthersearches concerning the media content.

Exemplarily, the related webpages are opened in a window. In anembodiment, the related webpages can be provided through the ISP cloudnetwork 110 in a secure environment, such that any order being placedthrough a website maintained by the provider's website 156, at leastbecause the related webpages that are presented can be controlled by theservice provider that provides the media content through the ISP cloudnetwork 110, thereby reducing fraud. Exemplarily, the operator of theISP cloud network 110 and the user of communication devices 140, 141already have a preexisting contractual arrangement. Accordingly, theoperator can ensure that the user and the provider have establishedconnections in a secure environment of the ISP cloud network 110,because end-to-end connectivity may be wholly provided by the ISP cloudnetwork 110. Exemplarily, the operator can maintain the user's financialinformation to conduct payment arrangements with the provider of goodsand/or services, thus ensuring an extremely secure transaction.

Audio/visual object database 133 comprises addressable image objectsrecognized in the media content by network servers 120 in the ISP cloudnetwork 110. Fully automated methods of object recognition are performedby the network servers on audio channels and/or frames of a videostream, in real time. The process takes place in the ISP cloud network110, where the audio/visual object database 133 exists. The audio/visualobject database 133 grows continuously through interaction with thisprocess and also other available sources to ISP cloud network 110. Someavailable image recognition methods can be used to supplement this realtime process as follows. Existing computer vision, artificialintelligence, machine learning, and big data methods can be used toanalyze and process existing media content and build an infrastructureof the audio/visual object database 133 in the ISP cloud network 110that can be used for any existing and future application of objectrecognition. Each object may be identified and categorized to bereachable through different methods like picture or audio matchingrequests.

In another embodiment, media content can be created havingpre-identified addressable image objects attached thereto for inclusionin the active content repository 130. Such media content can be analyzedby providers of goods and/or services that may also be users of the ISPcloud network 110. Information identifying such providers may be storedin the provider database 136. The providers can update either or both ofthe active content repository 130 or the audio/visual object database133 with new products for commercial uses. The network servers 120 maydetermine an association between provider information stored in theprovider database 136 and objects stored in the audio/visual objectdatabase 133, such as for localization purposes and/or to increase andupdate the information about products and/or services provided by theproviders.

Metadata is stored in the active content repository 130 that associatesaddressable image objects recognized in the media content with the mediacontent itself. Additionally, each recognized addressable image objectin the media content can be tagged by a process that allocates theclosest area in a picture occupied by the addressable image object. Thisarea may be used at the communication device to select the addressableimage object from among other available objects. Tagging should be donein a way that not only be selectable by the device like touch screen orcursor, but also be able to contain all other required information aboutprovider and alternative or additional options. Alternatively oradditionally, the previously described metadata may be stored in theaudio/visual object database 133.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method used by system 100described in FIG. 1. In step 202, a database of recognized objects iscreated by network servers in the cloud that scan the media content. Inone embodiment, the network servers recognize objects by analyzing theaudio channels of the media content, through voice recognition, digitalaudio watermarks, or the like. In another embodiment, the networkservers recognize objects by analyzing the closed captioning providedwith the media content. In another embodiment, the network serversrecognize objects by image recognition, artificial intelligence, machinelearning, or big data methods to analyze and process the media content.In an embodiment, the recognized objects are added to an audio/visualobject database located in a private cloud network as addressable imageobjects. Each addressable image object added can be identified andcategorized for use with different methods like picture or audiomatching requests. In an embodiment, media content providers may provideobject identification information for addressable image objects foundwithin the media content, such as uniform product codes (UPC), offsettime stamps, relative positions in the display of the media content,type of advertisement or merchant, the type of product, type of service,as well as definitions of objects, such as images of actors, products,points of interest, etc.

Step 204 illustrates that media content is being played back on acommunication device. During playback, network servers continue torecognize objects, as described above. In step 206, the user indicates adesire to obtain more information about an addressable image objectobserved in the media content. The user can make this indication merelyby pressing pause on a remote control, using a pointing device andclicking on the addressable image object, touching a touch screen on theaddressable image object, issuing a voice command, or the like. In anembodiment, tagged areas with attached links can be activated by addinginformation to those area about the user's device and make the area tobe responsive to selection method of the device. For example if thecommunication device has a touch screen, the tagged area indicating arelative location on the screen that should be responsive to a touch.Similarly, for voice activated devices, TV sets, or computer devicesthat are responsive to different inputs, the displayed content should beresponsive to any or all of those methods.

In step 208, the network servers in the cloud may identify theparticular frame of the media content selected by the user, and canperform further analysis to identify objects within the frame, or withinthe preceding series of frames or audio channels. Meanwhile, in step210, the media stream can be buffered and restarted once the user hascompleted any activity associated with the object identification.

In step 212, object disambiguation takes place. Here, the systemdetermines whether the user has unambiguously selected a particularaddressable image object, or generally has paused display of the mediacontent. The system may provide the communication device with a menu forselection of addressable image objects associated with the media contentbefore the user paused the content. For example, the user may bepresented with an option to zoom in on an object or zoom out from anaddressable image object to assist in selection of the addressable imageobject. In an embodiment, the selection may also include disambiguationof the user's interaction with the addressable image object. Forexample, the object may be a point of interest, such as golf course, andthe user may merely want more information about the addressable imageobject, in which case the system may provide a webpage comprisinginformation associated with the addressable image object. Alternatively,the user may wish to purchase goods or services associated with theaddressable image object, in which case the system may arrange for asecure transaction, as set forth in more detail below.

Next, in step 214, network servers in the cloud identify one or moreproviders of goods or services associated with the addressable imageobject capable of providing the goods or services in a timely fashion.In one embodiment, the location of the user, which is known to the ISP,can be used to draw an association between the user and providers ofgoods or services that can effect delivery of the goods or services tothe premises of the user within 24 hours. For example, network serversin the cloud may select one or more providers of the goods or servicesassociated with the identified addressable image object based onproximity to the user, and thus, their ability to rapidly provide thegoods or services. Such selection, hereinafter known as localization,can be easily made using the information stored in the providerdatabase, and a provider association with the addressable image objectstored in the audio/visual object database. The localization process cantake place for the broadcast video contents, but will be distributed tousers of each area with the related information specific to that area.In an embodiment, the localization process analyzes, selects, andprioritizes the goods and services providers that should be identifiedto users based on different considerations. For example, the exactproducer of the selected addressable image object may be the bestchoice, but if that producer is not available, to select a provider thathas service agreement with the ISP that can provide the product in asecure transaction. The location of the user will be sent and updated bythe ISP to the cloud for the localization process. The localizationprocess may use the user's location to identify the providers of allpreviously tagged objects in the media content being viewed by the user.The providers' information of tagged objects in the video content can beidentified by the localization process. In an embodiment, selectedproviders may compete to be targeted by user for selected product. In anembodiment, the user is presented with a choice of providers of thegoods and/or services associated with the selected object. Such choicemay be made based on preferred criteria, such as price, delivery time,etc. In another embodiment, the system highlights or emphasizesproviders who can effect local delivery quickly.

Once a provider is selected, a new, secure connection to the provider'swebsite can be established on the display of the communication device instep 216. In an embodiment, each addressable image object in the mediacontent can be linked to a web address of the service/product providerthat was identified through the localization process. Options may bepresented to the user to choose any provider of same product based ondifferent criteria that will also be available as soon as the customerpauses and selects an addressable image object in the picture.

In an embodiment, the primary information of the selected providers andselected tagged addressable image objects may be embedded to each activeframe based on different criteria such as delivery time, price, and soon. Embedded addressable image objects may save bandwidth when thesystem transmits the information of addressable image objects that havea higher chance of selection by a user. A determination of thelikelihood of selection of a particular addressable image object can beperformed by the system through inputs from data analysis and big dataprocesses that analyze information about the user and user behavior,historical information, demographics, or the like.

In an embodiment, when user selects any addressable image object in thepaused picture, website links for all providers of that product canappear on the screen. In an embodiment, the links can be sorted viadifferent criteria than the selection criteria. Sorting the providerlist for selected addressable image objects can be setup by users basedon their interest. The default criteria setup might be based onproximity, price, delivery time, service agreement, and so on.

In an embodiment, the ISP acts as a clearing house to securelyconsummate the transaction. In more detail, the ISP can provide theorder and delivery instructions to the provider selected by the user,and will remit payment on behalf of the user to the provider. In turnthe ISP can add the cost of the purchased goods or services to periodicbilling of the user. In this manner, the ISP in effect has extendedcredit to the user, and acts as a guarantor of payment to the provider.In an embodiment, the user does not need to supply payment informationto the provider of the goods and/or services, thus further enhancing thesecurity of the transaction.

Upon completion of the transaction, the communication device can revertto displaying the media content.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 2, it isto be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is notlimited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 300for providing various communication services, such as delivering mediacontent. The communication system 300 can represent an interactive medianetwork, such as an interactive television system (e.g., an InternetProtocol Television (IPTV) media system). Communication system 300 canbe overlaid or operably coupled with system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 asanother representative embodiment of communication system 300. Forinstance, one or more devices illustrated in the communication system300 of FIG. 3 can perform a method of analyzing media content, whereinthe media content is provided as a video stream displayed to a user of amedia device, the media content comprising a plurality of digital framestransported to the media device over a private network; recognizingproduct information from the analyzing of the plurality of digitalframes in the media content; determining product website information forproviders of goods or services associated with the product information,wherein the providers of goods or services are selected during thedetermining based on a proximity to the user of the media device;receiving a user input selecting a product associated with the productinformation resulting in a selected product; and providing a connectionto a website associated with the selected product to the media devicethrough the private network, wherein the product website informationcomprises a uniform resource locator to the website, and wherein thewebsite enables the user to securely procure the product selectedwithout providing payment information to the providers of the goods orservices.

In one or more embodiments, the communication system 300 can include asuper head-end office (SHO) 310 with at least one super headend officeserver (SHS) 311 which receives media content from satellite and/orterrestrial communication systems. In the present context, media contentcan represent, for example, audio content, moving image content such as2D or 3D videos, video games, virtual reality content, still imagecontent, and combinations thereof. The SHS server 311 can forwardpackets associated with the media content to one or more video head-endservers (VHS) 314 via a network of video head-end offices (VHO) 312according to a multicast communication protocol. The VHS 314 candistribute multimedia broadcast content via an access network 318 tocommercial and/or residential buildings 302 housing a gateway 304 (suchas a residential or commercial gateway).

The access network 318 can represent a group of digital subscriber lineaccess multiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a servicearea interface that provide broadband services over fiber optical linksor copper twisted pairs 319 to buildings 302. The gateway 304 can usecommunication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 306 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 308 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 307 (such as aninfrared or RF remote controller).

The gateway 304, the media processors 306, and media devices 308 canutilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerlineor phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocolsuch as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, or other presentor next generation local or personal area wireless network technologies.By way of these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invokedbetween the media processors 306 and subsystems of the IPTV media systemfor services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

A satellite broadcast television system 329 can be used in the mediasystem of FIG. 3. The satellite broadcast television system can beoverlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 300. In thisembodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 315 that include mediacontent can be received by a satellite dish receiver 331 coupled to thebuilding 302. Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver331 can be transferred to the media processors 306 for demodulating,decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the mediadevices 308. The media processors 306 can be equipped with a broadbandport to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 332 to enableinteractive services such as VoD and EPG as described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable broadcastdistribution system such as cable TV system 333 can be overlaid,operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or the satelliteTV system as another representative embodiment of communication system300. In this embodiment, the cable TV system 333 can also provideInternet, telephony, and interactive media services. Communicationsystem 300 enables various types of interactive television and/orservices including IPTV, cable and/or satellite.

The subject disclosure can apply to other present or next generationover-the-air and/or landline media content services system.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 330, a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing web portal services over the ISP network 332 towireline media devices 308 or wireless communication devices 316.

Communication system 300 can also provide for all or a portion of thecomputing devices 330 to function as network servers (herein referred toas network servers 330). The network servers 330 can use computing andcommunication technology to perform function 362, which can includeamong other things, the cloud object recognition techniques described bymethod 200 of FIG. 2. For instance, function 362 of server 330 can besimilar to the functions described for network servers 120 of FIG. 1 inaccordance with method 200. The media processors 306 and wirelesscommunication devices 316 can be provisioned with software functions 364and 366, respectively, to utilize the services of network servers 330.For instance, functions 364 and 366 of media processors 306 and wirelesscommunication devices 316 can be similar to the functions described forthe communication devices 140, 141 of FIG. 1 in accordance with method200.

Multiple forms of media services can be offered to media devices overlandline technologies such as those described above. Additionally, mediaservices can be offered to media devices by way of a wireless accessbase station 317 operating according to common wireless access protocolssuch as Global System for Mobile or GSM, Code Division Multiple Accessor CDMA, Time Division Multiple Access or TDMA, Universal MobileTelecommunications or UMTS, World interoperability for Microwave orWiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, Long Term Evolution or LTE, and soon. Other present and next generation wide area wireless access networktechnologies can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 400employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture tofacilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switchedsystems. Communication system 400 can be overlaid or operably coupledwith system 100 of FIG. 1 and communication system 300 as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 300. Communicationsystem 400 can perform one or more steps of a method of analyzing mediacontent, wherein the media content is provided as a video streamdisplayed to a user of a media device, the media content comprising aplurality of digital frames transported to the media device over aprivate network; recognizing product information from the analyzing ofthe plurality of digital frames in the media content; determiningproduct website information for providers of goods or servicesassociated with the product information, wherein the providers of goodsor services are selected during the determining based on a proximity tothe user of the media device; receiving a user input selecting a productassociated with the product information resulting in a selected product;and providing a connection to a website associated with the selectedproduct to the media device through the private network, wherein theproduct website information comprises a uniform resource locator to thewebsite, and wherein the website enables the user to securely procurethe product selected without providing payment information to theproviders of the goods or services.

Communication system 400 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)440, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 430, and other networkelements of an IMS network 450. The IMS network 450 can establishcommunications between IMS-compliant communication devices (CDs) 401,402, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs 403, 405, andcombinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF)420 coupled to a PSTN network 460. The MGCF 420 need not be used when acommunication session involves IMS CD to IMS CD communications. Acommunication session involving at least one PSTN CD may utilize theMGCF 420.

IMS CDs 401, 402 can register with the IMS network 450 by contacting aProxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with aninterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF), which in turn, communicates with a ServingCSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with the HSS 440. To initiate acommunication session between CDs, an originating IMS CD 401 can submita Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message to an originatingP-CSCF 404 which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF406. The originating S-CSCF 406 can submit the SIP INVITE message to oneor more application servers (ASs) 417 that can provide a variety ofservices to IMS subscribers.

For example, the application servers 417 can be used to performoriginating call feature treatment functions on the calling party numberreceived by the originating S-CSCF 406 in the SIP INVITE message.Originating treatment functions can include determining whether thecalling party number has international calling services, call IDblocking, calling name blocking, 7-digit dialing, and/or is requestingspecial telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73 cancel callforwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on). Based on initialfilter criteria (iFCs) in a subscriber profile associated with a CD, oneor more application servers may be invoked to provide various calloriginating feature services.

Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 406 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 430 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIP INVITEmessage to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS-compliant. The SIP URI can be used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 407 to submit a query to the HSS 440 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 414 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 402. Once identified, the I-CSCF 407 can submit theSIP INVITE message to the terminating S-CSCF 414. The terminating S-CSCF414 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 416 associated with theterminating CD 402. The P-CSCF 416 may then signal the CD 402 toestablish Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication services,thereby enabling the calling and called parties to engage in voiceand/or data communications. Based on the iFCs in the subscriber profile,one or more application servers may be invoked to provide various callterminating feature services, such as call forwarding, do not disturb,music tones, simultaneous ringing, sequential ringing, etc.

In some instances the aforementioned communication process issymmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” inFIG. 4 may be interchangeable. It is further noted that communicationsystem 400 can be adapted to support video conferencing. In addition,communication system 400 can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs 401, 402with the multimedia and Internet services of communication system 300 ofFIG. 3.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such as CD403 or CD 405 (in instances where the cellular phone only supportscircuit-switched voice communications), the ENUM system 430 can respondwith an unsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originatingS-CSCF 406 to forward the call to the MGCF 420 via a Breakout GatewayControl Function (BGCF) 419. The MGCF 420 can then initiate the call tothe terminating PSTN CD over the PSTN network 460 to enable the callingand called parties to engage in voice and/or data communications.

It is further appreciated that the CDs of FIG. 4 can operate as wirelineor wireless devices. For example, the CDs of FIG. 4 can becommunicatively coupled to a cellular base station 421, a femtocell, aWiFi router, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) baseunit, or another suitable wireless access unit to establishcommunications with the IMS network 450 of FIG. 4. The cellular basestation 421 can operate according to common wireless access protocolssuch as GSM, CDMA, TDMA, UMTS, WiMax, SDR, LTE, and so on. Other presentand next generation wireless network technologies can be used by one ormore embodiments of the subject disclosure. Accordingly, multiplewireline and wireless communication technologies can be used by the CDsof FIG. 4.

Cellular phones supporting LTE can support packet-switched voice andpacket-switched data communications and thus may operate asIMS-compliant mobile devices. In this embodiment, the cellular basestation 421 may communicate directly with the IMS network 450 as shownby the arrow connecting the cellular base station 421 and the P-CSCF416.

Alternative forms of a CSCF can operate in a device, system, component,or other form of centralized or distributed hardware and/or software.Indeed, a respective CSCF may be embodied as a respective CSCF systemhaving one or more computers or servers, either centralized ordistributed, where each computer or server may be configured to performor provide, in whole or in part, any method, step, or functionalitydescribed herein in accordance with a respective CSCF. Likewise, otherfunctions, servers and computers described herein, including but notlimited to, the HSS, the ENUM server, the BGCF, and the MGCF, can beembodied in a respective system having one or more computers or servers,either centralized or distributed, where each computer or server may beconfigured to perform or provide, in whole or in part, any method, step,or functionality described herein in accordance with a respectivefunction, server, or computer.

The network servers 330 of FIG. 4 can be operably coupled tocommunication system 400 for purposes similar to those described above.Network servers 330 can perform function 362 and thereby provideaddressable image object selection services to the CDs 401, 402, 403 and405 of FIG. 4 similar to the functions described for system 100 of FIG.1 in accordance with method 200 of FIG. 2. CDs 401, 402, 403 and 405,which can be adapted with software to perform function 472 to utilizethe services of the network servers 330 similar to the functionsdescribed for communication devices 140, 141 of FIG. 1 in accordancewith method 200 of FIG. 2. Network servers 330 can be an integral partof the application server(s) 417 performing function 474, which can besubstantially similar to function 362 and adapted to the operations ofthe IMS network 450.

For illustration purposes only, the terms S-CSCF, P-CSCF, I-CSCF, and soon, can be server devices, but may be referred to in the subjectdisclosure without the word “server.” It is also understood that anyform of a CSCF server can operate in a device, system, component, orother form of centralized or distributed hardware and software. It isfurther noted that these terms and other terms such as DIAMETER commandsare terms can include features, methodologies, and/or fields that may bedescribed in whole or in part by standards bodies such as 3^(rd)Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). It is further noted that some orall embodiments of the subject disclosure may in whole or in partmodify, supplement, or otherwise supersede final or proposed standardspublished and promulgated by 3GPP.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal 502 of acommunication system 500. Communication system 500 can be overlaid oroperably coupled with system 100 of FIG. 1, communication system 300,and/or communication system 400 as another representative embodiment ofsystem 100 of FIG. 1, communication system 300, and/or communicationsystem 400. The web portal 502 can be used for managing services ofsystem 100 of FIG. 1 and communication systems 300 and/or 400. A webpage of the web portal 502 can be accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator(URL) with an Internet browser using an Internet-capable communicationdevice, such as those described in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3-4. The web portal502 can be configured, for example, to access a media processor 306 andservices managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a Videoon Demand (VoD) catalog, an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), or apersonal catalog (such as personal videos, pictures, audio recordings,etc.) stored at the media processor 306. The web portal 502 can also beused for provisioning IMS services described earlier, provisioningInternet services, provisioning cellular phone services, and so on.

The web portal 502 can further be utilized to manage and provisionsoftware applications 362-366, and 472-474 to adapt these applicationsas may be desired by subscribers and/or service providers of system 100of FIG. 1, and communication systems 300 and/or 400. For instance, usersof the services provided by network servers 120 or network servers 330can log into their on-line accounts and provision the network servers120 or network servers 330 with profile information describingpreferences for producers or defaults for actions taken when selectingaddressable image objects, provide contact information to server toenable it to communication with communication devices described in FIG.1, providing user defined criteria for arranging potential producers,and so on. Service providers can log onto an administrator account toprovision, monitor and/or maintain the system 100 of FIG. 1 and/ornetwork servers 330.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 600.Communication device 600 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the communication devices 140, 141 depictedin FIG. 1, and FIGS. 3-4 and can be configured to perform portions ofmethod 200 of FIG. 2.

Communication device 600 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 602 (herein transceiver 602), a user interface (UI) 604, apower supply 614, a location receiver 616, a motion sensor 618, anorientation sensor 620, and a controller 606 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 602 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1×, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 602 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 604 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 608 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device600. The keypad 608 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 600 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 608 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 604 can further include a display610 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 600. In anembodiment where the display 610 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 608 can be presented by way of the display 610 withnavigation features.

The display 610 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 600 can be adapted to present a user interface withgraphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a userwith a touch of a finger. The touch screen display 610 can be equippedwith capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology todetect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on aportion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can beused to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functionsof the user interface. The display 610 can be an integral part of thehousing assembly of the communication device 600 or an independentdevice communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface(such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 604 can also include an audio system 612 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 612 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 612 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI604 can further include an image sensor 613 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 614 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 600 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable applications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 616 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 600 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 618can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 600 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 620 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device600 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 600 can use the transceiver 602 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 606 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 600.

Other components not shown in FIG. 6 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 600 can include a reset button (not shown). The reset button canbe used to reset the controller 606 of the communication device 600. Inyet another embodiment, the communication device 600 can also include afactory default setting button positioned, for example, below a smallhole in a housing assembly of the communication device 600 to force thecommunication device 600 to re-establish factory settings. In thisembodiment, a user can use a protruding object such as a pen or paperclip tip to reach into the hole and depress the default setting button.The communication device 600 can also include a slot for adding orremoving an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)card. SIM cards can be used for identifying subscriber services,executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so forth.

The communication device 600 as described herein can operate with moreor less of the circuit components shown in FIG. 6. These variantembodiments can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

The communication device 600 can be adapted to perform the functions ofcommunication devices 140, 141 of FIG. 1, the media processor 306, themedia devices 308, or the portable communication devices 316 of FIG. 3,as well as the IMS CDs 401-402 and PSTN CDs 403-405 of FIG. 4. It willbe appreciated that the communication device 600 can also representother devices that can operate in system 100 of FIG. 1, communicationsystems 300-400 of FIGS. 3-4 such as a gaming console and a mediaplayer. In addition, the controller 606 can be adapted in variousembodiments to perform the functions 362-366 and 472-474, respectively.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope of theclaims described below. For example, the system may identify providersof goods or services that could effect delivery of the products in avery short time, for example, within an hour or two of order placement.In another example, an automated interactive process between system 100of FIG. 1 and subscribed providers enables a bidding process amongproviders for a selected object. Providers can submit their offers forthe associated product to the customer in near real time. For example,the providers can compete on price, delivery time, and services that canoffer for the selected product by the customer. The associated productcan be represented by any object in the paused picture of the videostream or an image of a product that was taken by the user or a realtime video in an Augmented Reality (AR) environment pointing to anobject that customer is interested in. Other embodiments can be used inthe subject disclosure.

It should be understood that devices described in the exemplaryembodiments can be in communication with each other via various wirelessand/or wired methodologies. The methodologies can be links that aredescribed as coupled, connected and so forth, which can includeunidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless pathsand/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols ormethodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g.,no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediaryprocessing device such as a router).

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 700 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods described above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as network servers 330, the media processor 306,the network servers 120, active content repository 130, audio/visualobject database 133, provider database 136, provider's website 156,communication devices 140-141, ISP cloud network 110, and other devicesof FIGS. 1 and 3-6. In some embodiments, the machine may be connected(e.g., using a network 726) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in a server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the subject disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 700 may include a processor (or controller) 702(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit(GPU, or both), a main memory 704 and a static memory 706, whichcommunicate with each other via a bus 708. The computer system 700 mayfurther include a display unit 710 (e.g., a liquid crystal display(LCD), a flat panel, or a solid state display). The computer system 700may include an input device 712 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 714 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 716, a signal generationdevice 718 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 720. In distributed environments, the embodiments described inthe subject disclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units710 controlled by two or more computer systems 700. In thisconfiguration, presentations described by the subject disclosure may inpart be shown in a first of the display units 710, while the remainingportion is presented in a second of the display units 710.

The disk drive unit 716 may include a tangible computer-readable storagemedium 722 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g.,software 724) embodying any one or more of the methods or functionsdescribed herein, including those methods illustrated above. Theinstructions 724 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 704, the static memory 706, and/or within theprocessor 702 during execution thereof by the computer system 700. Themain memory 704 and the processor 702 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Application specific integrated circuits andprogrammable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executingstate machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments ofthe subject disclosure. Applications that may include the apparatus andsystems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronicand computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two ormore specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with relatedcontrol and data signals communicated between and through the modules,or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, theexample system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, theoperations or methods described herein are intended for operation assoftware programs or instructions running on or executed by a computerprocessor or other computing device, and which may include other formsof instructions manifested as a state machine implemented with logiccomponents in an application specific integrated circuit or fieldprogrammable gate array. Furthermore, software implementations (e.g.,software programs, instructions, etc.) including, but not limited to,distributed processing or component/object distributed processing,parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also beconstructed to implement the methods described herein. Distributedprocessing environments can include multiple processors in a singlemachine, single processors in multiple machines, and/or multipleprocessors in multiple machines. It is further noted that a computingdevice such as a processor, a controller, a state machine or othersuitable device for executing instructions to perform operations ormethods may perform such operations directly or indirectly by way of oneor more intermediate devices directed by the computing device.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 722 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure. The term “non-transitory” as in a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage includes without limitation memories, drives,devices and anything tangible but not a signal per se.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, and HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth®, WiFi, ZigBee®), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used bycomputer system 700. In one or more embodiments, information regardinguse of services can be generated including services being accessed,media consumption history, user preferences, and so forth. Thisinformation can be obtained by various methods including user input,detecting types of communications (e.g., video content vs. audiocontent), analysis of content streams, and so forth. The generating,obtaining and/or monitoring of this information can be responsive to anauthorization provided by the user. In one or more embodiments, ananalysis of data can be subject to authorization from user(s) associatedwith the data, such as an opt-in, an opt-out, acknowledgementrequirements, notifications, selective authorization based on types ofdata, and so forth.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Theexemplary embodiments can include combinations of features and/or stepsfrom multiple embodiments. Other embodiments may be utilized and derivedtherefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figuresare also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certainproportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

Less than all of the steps or functions described with respect to theexemplary processes or methods can also be performed in one or more ofthe exemplary embodiments. Further, the use of numerical terms todescribe a device, component, step or function, such as first, second,third, and so forth, is not intended to describe an order or functionunless expressly stated so. The use of the terms first, second, thirdand so forth, is generally to distinguish between devices, components,steps or functions unless expressly stated otherwise. Additionally, oneor more devices or components described with respect to the exemplaryembodiments can facilitate one or more functions, where the facilitating(e.g., facilitating access or facilitating establishing a connection)can include less than every step needed to perform the function or caninclude all of the steps needed to perform the function.

In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a controlleror circuit) has been described that performs various functions. Itshould be understood that the processor can be multiple processors,which can include distributed processors or parallel processors in asingle machine or multiple machines. The processor can be used insupporting a virtual processing environment. The virtual processingenvironment may support one or more virtual machines representingcomputers, servers, or other computing devices. In such virtualmachines, components such as microprocessors and storage devices may bevirtualized or logically represented. The processor can include a statemachine, application specific integrated circuit, and/or programmablegate array including a Field PGA. In one or more embodiments, when aprocessor executes instructions to perform “operations”, this caninclude the processor performing the operations directly and/orfacilitating, directing, or cooperating with another device or componentto perform the operations.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

1. A method, comprising: analyzing, by a processing system comprising aprocessor, media content, wherein the media content is provided as avideo stream displayed to a user of a media device, the media contentcomprising a plurality of digital frames transported to the media deviceover a private network; recognizing, by the processing system, productinformation from the analyzing of the plurality of digital frames in themedia content; determining, by the processing system, product websiteinformation for providers of goods or services associated with theproduct information, wherein the providers of the goods or services areselected during the determining based on a proximity to the user of themedia device; receiving, by the processing system from the media device,a user input selecting a product associated with the productinformation, wherein the selecting results in a selected product; andproviding, by the processing system, a connection to a websiteassociated with the selected product to the media device through theprivate network, wherein the product website information comprises auniform resource locator to the website, and wherein the website enablesthe user to securely procure the product selected without providingpayment information to the providers of the goods or services.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the product website information is determinedupon receiving the user input selecting the product.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the providers of the goods or services can deliver thegoods or services selected to a premises of the user within 24 hours. 4.The method of claim 1, further comprising creating and storing, by theprocessing system, an object, wherein the object includes the productinformation.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the object includes theproduct website information.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein theobject includes information identifying a spot on a screen of the mediadevice that may be responsive to selecting the object.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, further comprising embedding, by the processing system, theobject in media content.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprisingproviding, by the processing system, website links for a list ofproviders of the product selected.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein thelist of providers is arranged according to a user defined criteria. 10.A device, comprising: a processing system including a processor; and amemory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessing system, facilitate performance of operations, the operationscomprising: analyzing media content to recognize an object therein,wherein the media content is provided as a video stream displayed to auser of a communication device, the media content comprising a pluralityof digital frames transported to the communication device; associatingproduct information of a product with the object; receiving a user inputselecting the object; determining providers of goods or services of whocan provide the product, wherein the providers of the goods or servicesare selected during the determining based on a proximity of theproviders of the goods or services to the user of the communicationdevice; and providing the product information to the communicationdevice.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the product informationcomprises a uniform resource locator to a website associated with theproduct, wherein the device comprises a plurality of processors, whereinthe plurality of processors comprises the processor and at least anotherprocessor, and wherein the plurality of processors operate in adistributed processing environment.
 12. The device of claim 11, whereinthe website enables the user to procure the product without providingpayment information to the providers of the goods or services.
 13. Thedevice of claim 12, wherein a connection between the website and thecommunication device is made through a private network.
 14. The deviceof claim 10, wherein the determining the providers of the goods orservices further comprises determining whether the providers of thegoods or services can supply the goods or services within 24 hours. 15.The device of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise storingthe object in a database.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the objectcomprises information identifying a relative location on a screen of thecommunication device to enable selection thereof.
 17. A non-transitorymachine-readable medium, comprising executable instructions that, whenexecuted by a processing system including a processor, facilitateperformance of operations, the operations comprising: analyzing mediacontent to recognize an object therein, wherein the media content isprovided as a video stream displayed to a user of a communicationdevice, the media content comprising a plurality of digital frames sentto the communication device over a private network; identifying aproduct from the object; receiving a user input selecting the object ona screen of the communication device; determining a location of thecommunication device; and providing a list of providers of goods orservices of the product to the communication device based on an abilityof the providers of the goods or services to deliver the goods orservices to the location of the communication device in a timelyfashion.
 18. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 17,wherein the providers of the goods or services can effect delivery ofthe goods or services within 24 hours, wherein the processing systemcomprises a plurality of processors, wherein the plurality of processorscomprises the processor and at least another processor, and wherein theplurality of processors operate in a distributed processing environment.19. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 17, wherein theoperations further comprise: receiving a selection of a provider of thegoods or services from the communication device; and providing a link toa website of the provider through the private network to thecommunication device.
 20. The non-transitory machine-readable medium ofclaim 19, wherein the link enables the user of the communication deviceto complete a transaction to procure the goods or services withoutproviding payment information to the provider.